State funding for innovation and research will significantly increase as part of an ambitious new plan on competitiveness aimed at countering global financial uncertainty and US tariffs.
The plan was included in the Programme For Government for later in the Coalition’s term but has been brought forward by Minister for Enterprise Peter Burke due to geopolitical tensions.
Mr Burke will seek approval for the plan at the weekly Cabinet meeting on Wednesday. It will be launched in the afternoon by Taoiseach Micheál Martin, Tánaiste Simon Harris, Mr Burke and Minister of State Seán Canney.
The plan’s central component will be what is described as a “step change” in the funding for innovation and collaboration with higher education institutions.
RM Block
The investment comes on the back of studies which show the amount spent on research and partnerships between industry and academia can play a critical role in advancing economies.
Among the 26 priority actions are the creation of new structures on artificial intelligence (AI), intellectual property (IP) and start-ups.
It also sets out a plan for Ireland to push competitiveness, reduce red tape and regulatory burden, during Ireland’s presidency of the EU in the latter half of 2026.
Mr Burke is expected to tell Cabinet colleagues that much of the trade changes are out of Ireland’s control.
He will say the plan is aimed at controlling the controllables by sharpening up the offering of Irish enterprise, businesses and industry.
Mr Burke is expected to argue that funding should be targeted at what will become the foreign direct investment (FDI) of the future. To do that, he will say, Ireland will need to ensure it has the right talent coming on stream and will also need to make sure that the infrastructure deficits are addressed.
Housing
Meanwhile, Minister for Housing James Browne will outline to Cabinet that he is prioritising €50 million to expand the Social Housing Second-Hand Acquisitions Programme in 2025.
The funding will be targeted specifically at acquisitions supporting households to exit long-term emergency homeless accommodation.
Mr Browne is expected to tell colleagues that the number of children and young people living longer term in temporary State accommodation is unacceptable and this funding will help address that situation.
[ More than 5,000 children in emergency accommodation as homelessness hit new high ]
It is understood that the focus in the first instance will be on larger families with children and those engaged in the Housing First programme.
Funding will be allocated to the eight local authorities with the highest numbers of households that have been in emergency accommodation for more than 24 months in the Dublin region, and 12 months or more in the remaining four regional authorities.
He will also tell colleagues there should be sufficient funding available to meet all tenant in situ draw down requests in 2025 given there will be a likely underspend of the original allocations by a number of local authorities.
Ukraine war
Separately, the Taoiseach will tell the Cabinet there is support among members of the coalition of the willing for increasing pressure on Russia, including through strengthening sanctions. The coalition now includes 32 countries, mainly from the EU.
Ireland has indicated to the coalition that it will continue non-lethal military support to Ukraine, including training and accelerating Ukraine’s path to EU membership.
Ireland will also consider participation in an appropriately mandated peacekeeping mission in the event of a ceasefire or peace agreement.
Mr Martin has been involved with four meetings of the coalition of the willing in support of Ukraine, most recently on September 4th.
At the Cabinet meeting, Minister for Social Protection Dara Calleary will seek approval for a new National Child Poverty Target to be achieved by the end of 2030.
The Department of Social Protection is working on targeted supports to lift more children out of poverty, with a particular focus on the working family payment and the child support payment, which are effective measures to reduce the risk of poverty.
